Moisture resistant infant clothing

ABSTRACT

Clothing includes an exterior shell which contains an inset portion that substantially extends from a front half of a neck opening. The exterior fabric shell more easily passes moisture and quickly dries. Arranged in directly contact with an inner surface of the exterior shell is a second layer of absorbent material that is denser than the outermost layer. In one arrangement, the article of clothing includes an inner layer of material that is the same as the exterior shell. In another embodiment, a third layer of material is disposed against an inner surface of the second layer and includes water resistant properties that reduce or prevent moisture from passing from the second layer to the skin of the wearer. In an additional embodiment, an innermost layer, of preferably the same material as the exterior shell, is in contact with the third layer and is worn against the wearer&#39;s skin.

There are no related patent applications.

This application did not receive federal research and developmentfunding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a garment or an article ofclothing for a child. More particularly, the invention relates to anarticle of clothing that includes reinforcement materials that absorbsaliva from infants or toddlers when they drool. Excessive drooling is acommon occurrence among infants and young children when they areteething. The invention may comprise various types of articles ofclothing including, but not limited to, shirts or one-piece outfitswhich include at least an area around the neck of the garment thatabsorbs moisture and acts as a barrier to keep the moisture from theinfant's skin.

Infants and toddlers, collectively referred to as children, can salivateexcessively throughout the early part of their lives, and especiallywhen they teethe. This behavior often causes the clothing worn on thechild's neck and chest areas to become moist with saliva. Leaving moistclothing in contact with a child's skin may result in a rash beingproduced. Thus, parents often feel compelled to make the child wear abib continuously, or frequently change the child's clothing, even whenthe clothes are not otherwise soiled. The bib eventually becomes soakedand may then also be changed frequently. The present invention providesan alternative to wearing bibs for drooling protection, by allowing forgreater absorption of saliva in clothing for children.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention, an absorbent garment to be worn by children, is a newtype of clothing that comprises an exterior fabric shell which containsan inset, absorbent portion that substantially extends from a front halfof a neck opening in the clothing to a bottom of each armpit seam. Inthe preferred embodiment, this absorbent portion comprises three layers;in a second embodiment, the absorbent portion comprises four layers.

The first or outermost layer of material comprising the article ofclothing includes a light-weight exterior fabric shell of material whichextends to at least the waist of the wearer to create a shirt or otherarticle of clothing such as a one-piece outfit, dress or the like. Thisexterior layer of material easily passes moisture and quickly dries.Thus, it is high in water and vapor transmission properties. Theexterior shell transmits moisture there through in both directions suchthat liquid provided from the mouth of a child is quickly absorbedthrough the outer shell and into a second layer of moisture absorbingmaterial.

Arranged in direct contact with an inner surface of the shell layer is asecond layer of absorbent material such as cotton batting, which createsa saliva absorbing layer and includes an inner and an outer surface.This second layer of material catches and reduces the likelihood ofliquid from flowing from the exterior shell region of the reinforcedarea to an interior layer that is arranged in contact with a wearer'sskin. Moisture is absorbed into the second layer and stored until it canbe dissipated into the atmosphere that is exterior to the exteriorshell. By using the body temperature of the wearer, the moisture isheated and if conducive environmental conditions exist, then themoisture that is stored in the moisture absorbing material migratesthrough the external shell and is evaporated into a surroundingatmosphere. The second layer absorbs and diffuses any liquid that haspassed through the exterior shell away from its source of origin tospread it across a larger surface area which is heated by the body heatof the wearer to more easily dissipate moisture without causing anybuild up of moisture on the skin of the wearer. The second layer isdenser and includes greater absorbing or adsorbing ability than theoutermost layer. Absorbent material may comprise terry cloth, cottonbatting, quilting, artificial or natural sponge material, or a polymermaterial. An inner surface of the second layer of material may includePolyurethane that prevents a flowing of any liquid from the exteriorshell to the third layer of material.

A third layer of material is disposed against an inner surface of thesecond layer of material. The third layer may comprise a material thatis of the same type as the exterior shell. In additional embodiment, thethird layer comprises water resistant properties that reduce or preventmoisture from passing from the second layer of material to the skin ofthe wearer. The third layer of material may comprise vinyl or plastic orwater resistant material such as polypropylene and may be either wovenor non-woven type. The polypropylene operates as a moisture barrierwhile wicking moisture away from the skin of the wearer. This thirdlayer of material reduces the saliva from coming into contact with thewearer's skin, and thus prevents the discomfort of the feeling ofwearing wet clothing.

In another embodiment, a fourth or innermost layer of preferably thesame material as the first layer is in contact with the third layer andis worn against the wearer's skin. The exterior fabric shell isavailable in a variety of styles, materials, colors, and designs.Alternatively, the invention may be comprised by an embodiment whichdoes not include a water resistant layer.

An object of the invention is to provide an alternative to wearing bibsto protect a child's clothing from saliva and/or other moisture sources.

Another object of the invention is to provide a type of child's clothingwhich has the capacity to absorb substantial amounts of saliva withoutsoaking the garment through to the child's skin.

A further object of the invention is to reduce the need for parents toconstantly change a child's saliva soaked garment of clothing.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth inpart in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious fromthe description, or may be learned from practicing the invention. Theobjects and advantages of the invention will be obtained by means ofinstrumentalities in combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child wearing a shirt of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a child's shirt having an absorbent panelrepresented by the broken line in the front, neck area and incorporatingthe features of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a front view ofanother embodiment of a child's shirt having an absorbent panelincorporating the features of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a cross section view of a first embodiment of the absorbentpanel taken from line A-A of FIG. 2A. FIG. 3B is a cross section view ofa second embodiment of the absorbent panel taken from line A-A of FIG.2A.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a dress that includes the absorbent panel.

FIG. 5 is a one-piece article of clothing that includes the absorbentpanel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following is the preferred embodiment or best mode for carrying outthe invention. It should be noted that this invention is not limited bythe discussion of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 1 depicts the invention, an article of absorbent clothing 1, asworn on a child. The invention includes an absorbent portion 2 securedwithin the article of clothing by a stitched seam 15. The absorbentportion 2 is preferably formed in accord with the cross section viewsshown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The absorbent portion 2 extends away from aneck opening 4 on a front of the article of clothing 1 and to themidpoint of each shoulder. Absorbent portion 2 is generally shaped in anarcuate shape as shown. Stitched seam 15 secures an absorbent material 7in place The absorbent portion 2 extends from the neck opening 4 of thearticle of clothing as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 2A and 2B andis formed generally in the shape of a traditional bib.

FIGS. 2A and 2B discuss two embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 2A,the article of clothing includes both a frontal absorbent region 2located in front of and extending to an upper shoulder region. A lineA-A is included for providing a reference point for the cross sectionviews of FIGS. 3A and 3B. Each article 1 includes a pair of sleeves 20that attach to article 1 via seams 21. Each sleeve 20 includes anopening 22 through which a child's hand extends. A waist opening 25 isincluded in the article of clothing in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2Aand 2B.

FIG. 3A depicts the four layers which comprise the absorbent portion 2of a further embodiment. The outermost shell layer 6 includes an innerand an outer surface and comprises a material that more easily passesmoisture and quickly dries. The outermost shell layer 6 may comprisecotton knit, fleece, flannel, terry cloth, thermal knit, velour and thelike. A layer of absorbent material 7 that includes an inner and outersurface rests directly under and in contact with the outermost shelllayer 6. The layer of absorbent material 7 may comprise cotton battingand absorbs moisture that passes through layer 6. A layer of waterproofor water resistant material 9 which includes an inner surface and anouter surface rests directly underneath the layer of absorbent material7. The layer of water resistant material 9 may be comprised of, but notlimited to, vinyl or plastic or other material that prevents moisturefrom being exposed to the skin of the wearer. The innermost layer 8comprises a fabric shell that rests directly underneath the waterresistant layer 9 and includes an inner and outer surface. The innermostsurface of layer 8 is worn against the wearer's skin.

Alternatively, the invention may be comprised by an embodiment whichdoes not include a water resistant layer 9, as shown in FIG. 3B. FIG. 3Bdepicts a sectional view of embodiment of the invention whereby theabsorbent portion 2, 3 comprises only three layers. A layer of absorbentmaterial 7 rests directly under the outermost shell layer 6 and arrangedas mentioned above with respect to FIG. 3A. The innermost layer 8comprised of a fabric shell 1 rests directly underneath the absorbentmaterial layer 7 and is worn against the wearer's skin. FIGS. 4 and 5respectively show a dress and a one-piece article of clothing having anabsorbent region.

While the invention has been described with respect to preferredembodiments, it is intended that all matter contained in the abovedescription or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpretedas illustrative and not in limiting sense. From the above disclosure ofthe general principles of the present invention and the precedingdetailed description, those skilled in the art will readily comprehendthe various modifications to which the present invention is susceptible.Therefore, the scope of the invention should be limited only by thefollowing claims and equivalents thereof.

1. An article of clothing comprising: an exterior fabric shell thateasily passes moisture therethrough, said exterior fabric shell havingan inner surface and an outer surface and that includes a neck openingand two arm openings; an absorbent material comprising a pad having aninner surface and an outer surface and being arranged next to theexterior fabric shell such that the inner surface of the exterior fabricshell is in contact with an outer surface of the absorbent pad; and, aninnermost layer of fabric arranged in contact with a wearer's skin saidinnermost layer prevents moisture from passing from the absorbent pad tothe skin of the wearer.
 2. The article of clothing of claim 1 whereinsaid absorbent material is one or more selected from a group consistingof terry cloth, cotton batting, quilting, artificial or natural spongematerial, or a polymer material.
 3. The article of clothing of claim 1wherein said absorbent layer is denser and includes greater absorbing oradsorbing ability than the exterior fabric shell.
 4. The article ofclothing of claim 1 further comprising a layer of waterproof materialdisposed against an inner surface of the absorbent layer that reduces orprevents moisture from passing from the absorbent layer to skin of awearer.
 5. The article of clothing of claim 4 wherein said layer ofwaterproof materials consists of one or more selected from a groupconsisting of vinyl, plastic and polypropylene.
 6. The article ofclothing of claim 1 wherein said article of clothing is a shirt.
 7. Thearticle of clothing of claim 1 wherein said article of clothing is aone-piece infant suit.
 8. The article of clothing of claim 1 whereinsaid article of clothing is a dress.
 9. The article of clothing of claim1 further comprising: a fourth layer of water resistant materialdisposed between said absorbent material and said innermost layer. 10.The article of clothing of claim 1 wherein said innermost layercomprises water resistant material.
 11. The article of clothing of claim1 wherein the exterior fabric shell passes moisture therethrough andmore quickly dries such that moisture is passed in both directions. 12.The article of clothing of claim 1 wherein moisture is absorbed into theabsorbent layer of material and stored therein until it can bedissipated into the atmosphere that is exterior to the exterior fabricshell, by using the body temperature of the wearer, moisture retained inthe absorbent layer of material is heated and is evaporated into asurrounding atmosphere.
 13. The article of clothing of claim 1 whereinsaid absorbent layer absorbs and diffuses any liquid that has passedthrough the exterior fabric shell away from its source of origin tospread it across a larger surface area which is heated by body heat ofthe wearer to more easily dissipate moisture without causing any buildup of moisture on the skin of the wearer wherein said absorbent layer isdenser and includes greater absorbing or adsorbing ability than theexterior fabric shell.
 14. The article of clothing of claim 1 wherein aninner surface of the absorbent layer of material includes polyurethanethat prevents a flowing of any liquid from the exterior fabric shell tothe innermost layer of material.
 15. An article of clothing forpreventing drooling from a wearer from coming into contact with skin ofthe wearer, said article of clothing comprising: a first layercomprising an exterior fabric shell that easily passes moisturetherethrough, said first layer having an inner surface and an outersurface and that includes a neck opening and two arm openings; a secondlayer comprising an absorbent material having an inner surface and anouter surface and being arranged next to the first layer such that theinner surface of the first layer is in contact with an outer surface ofthe second layer; and, a third layer of fabric arranged against theinner surface of the second layer is in contact with the third layerthat is in contact with a wearer's skin, said innermost layer preventingmoisture from passing from the absorbent pad to the skin of the wearer.16. The article of clothing of claim 15 wherein one or more of saidfirst, second and third layers is one or more selected from a groupconsisting of terry cloth, cotton batting, quilting, artificial ornatural sponge material, or a polymer material.
 17. The article ofclothing of claim 15 further comprising a layer of waterproof materialdisposed against the inner surface of the second layer that reduces orprevents moisture from passing from the second layer to skin of awearer.
 18. The article of clothing of claim 17 wherein said layer ofwaterproof materials consists of one or more selected from a groupconsisting of vinyl, plastic and polypropylene.
 19. The article ofclothing of claim 17 further comprising: a fourth layer of waterresistant material disposed between said second layer of material andsaid third layer of material.
 20. An article of clothing comprising: anexterior fabric shell that easily passes moisture therethrough, saidexterior fabric shell having an inner surface and an outer surface andthat includes a neck opening and two arm openings and more quickly driessuch that moisture is passed in both directions; an absorbent materialcomprising a pad having an inner surface and an outer surface and beingarranged next to the exterior fabric shell such that the inner surfaceof the exterior fabric shell is in contact with an outer surface of theabsorbent pad, wherein moisture is absorbed into the absorbent materialand stored therein until it can be dissipated into the atmosphere thatis exterior to the exterior fabric shell, said moisture being heated bywarmth from a wearers' body temperature and the moisture that is storedin the absorbing material migrates through the external fabric shell andis evaporated into a surrounding atmosphere; and, an innermost layer offabric arranged in contact with a wearer's skin said innermost layerprevents moisture from passing from the absorbent pad to the skin of thewearer.